Rope-untwisting machinery



June 30, 1925. 1,543,924

P. B. JAGGER ET AL ROPE UNTWI STI NG MACHINERY Filed Jan. ll, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet l June 30, 1925. 1,543,924

P. B. JAGGER ET Al.

ROPE UNTWISTING MACHINERY Filed Jan. ll, l924 9 'Sheets-Shee'f, 2

.lime 30, 1925. 1,543,924

` P. B. JAGGER ET AL ROPE UNTWISTING MACHINERY Filed Jan. l1, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 30, 1925. 1,543,924

w P. B. JAGGER ET Al.

ROPE UNTVHSTING MACHINERY Filed Jan. 11,. 1924. 9 Sheets-Sheet v4 June 3o, 1925. 1,543,924

Y F. E. JAGGER ET AL ROPE UNTWI STI NG MACHINERY Filed Jan, ll, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 u In nu nuu lune 30, 1925.

' P. B. JAGGER ET AL.

Rom UNTwIsTING MACHINERY Filed uuu. ll, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 w Y e mwfw @E 3 g j?? P 7@ T. M JY Q %L\\ June 3o, 1925. 1,543,924

P. B. JAGGER ET' AL ROPE UNTWISTTNG MACHINERY Filed Jan. l1 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet Iren fu' June 3o, 1925 1,543,924

F. E. JAGGER ET AL ROPE UNTWIST ING MACHINERY Filed Jan. ll, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet, 8

Arron/vir.

June 3o, '1925,

P. B. JAGGER ET AL ROPE UNTWIS TNG- MACHI NERY Filed Jan. 1l, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 .Patented lune 3Q, i925.

Unirse erariale .refinar cerros.

iJEFE'J'IllIEt SB'URD JAGGER., JDECEASED, ,LATE-11 OF .LONBGNQ ENGLAND; EY IARY PAULINE ineens., nirncnrnin, Haaren,

'LONDOBL ENGLAND.

0.?? LONDON, $5313) THOEASUCLARK HARDING, OlE CLECK- IA'NDg HARDTG IOR .TQ ELULINE JAGGER, QF

`ROPELUNTVVISE ING LIACHINERY.

Application filed January 11A, :1924. Serl No.2685571'9.

To all 'io/10m t may concer/n.:

.it linovvn that'we, MARY PAUL-INE JAG- cniz, enecntrix of the vvlate En Bruin .Jace n, and' Til inns 'CLARK Hermine, Vsul'ijects of the King of Great Britain, residing, fre- -spectii-'ely, at London, v"England, and Cleckheaton, Yorkshire, England, do declare that 'the said .PETER BURD J'Aeenlz and lili-minis CLARK Hnnnrive vdid .invent certain new' and useful Improvements in and Relating dto Rope-'Untvvisting Machinery, 'of `Which the :following isa specification. y

The present invention rconsists of an improvedmethod of and machinery for mechanically nntwisting and vinding the sepa-- rate strands of a rope (such as for example a. Wire rope, fibrous rope, `and stranded elecytriccables) or the separate Wires or yarns, or groups of'jvvires or yarns, of a strand ready for further useor treatment.

Under the present invention, spools or bobbinaare so mounted, controlled, and 'connected for drive, ythat they rotateas a grou*l ound common aiis,^and each, Whileniovbodily 4rot... d that axis, is simultaneously rotated on its ovv-n axis', While preserving "the horizontality of its own axis of rotation.

ln doing this an important feature of vthe pijesent invention consists in transmitting a d i e of rotation to each spool or bobbin round ovvn axis, Which'drive of rotation is normally-.a positive gear drive 'from amain drive, but through a slipping component vinterposed between ythe main drive vand the bobbins 'is automatically changed toa slipping drive, which allows the bobbins to slow doivnyor even stop altogether, Whenever and as often as ande according as the resistance toivinding grovvs more or -'less abnormal. c

A further feature of importance of vthe Apresent invention consists in transmitting a positive drive of lrevolution to the spools or bobbins tihrougi ivlieeltrain rwhich is independent of the Wheel train `for imparting -drive of rotation to the `spools oribobbins, except that both Atrains may be driven from 'a connnon main shaft.

The Whole 'of the drive. of the machine 'may be embodied in agear head behind the back 'ring 'ofthe iiier carrier.

nism, thereis hereinafter described, by ,Way

Aof example, a complete"mac`hine embracing the essential features hereinbefore referred to.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a machine vas made and tested by Way of eX- periment ivithvarious forms of Wire rope or cable, data as to `a 'certain test being' hereinafter given to shew the vpractical results obtained.

n'the drawings;

Figs. l and la `and '2 and 2 are respectively sideelevation and plan views of a lay out of the machine, Fig. 3 is a View ofthe grip rolls. Figs. 4 and; are'side and front views 'respectively fof a revolving head, Figs. 6 and 7 are front andside vviews respectively Lof an opening-plate, FigzS is a front view of the front ring, Fig. 19 a front view of the middle ring, Figs.` l0 and l1 are side and end views respectively of one form of slipping'element Fig. l2 is a View of the distributor, -Fig. 13 is a plan 'view of one of :the fliers for the lbaok carrier, `Fig. 11i is a view of the back carrier and epicyclic `Wheel trains, Fig. 15 adetail vieW shevving `the sun Wilieelsinountings, Fig. 16 a View of the core Winding drinnl and drive therefor, Fig. 17 lis a vieWofone of the iiiers for the front carrier to a smaller scale than Fig. 13, 'i8 is a plan v'iev.T of the gear head and Fig. 19 an elevation thereof, While Figs. 20, 2l and 2:2 vare diagrammatic views of the drives for vimparting drive ofrotation to the 'spools and to the main rotating axis of the machine.

In the example of machine illustrated and `now to be described in detail, the lay out these parts are carried by a framing or fea allied part thereto. By way of example let it be assumed that a six stranded wire rope is to be mechanically untwisted into separate strands, and the fibrous core or heart wound up by itself.

Y The rope or cable to be opened may be coiled on to a drum or wheel or revolving platform, which may be wheeled in front of themachine As shewn the rope is coiled on a drum 1 `mounted on a turntable 2.' From the drum 1 the rope is led to the lead in assemblage.

The lead in assemblage comprises grip rolls, a clamp or die carriage, a revolving head, and an opening plate, the grip rolls being nearest to the drum 1.

The grip rolls Sand 4 guide the rope into the machine. The shaft 5 ofthe Vrollis in a fixed bea-ring 6 while the shaft 7 of the roll 3 is in a movable bearing 8..this adjustable feature of the roll 3 allowing for pressure to be put on the rope as it passes between the rolls 3 and 4.

Each roll has a series of different width grooves or fiutes 9 to suit varying diameter ropes.

Frein the grip rolls the rope passes to the clamp or die carriage 10, which is supported on the framework shortly in front of a revolving head.` This, clampv or die carriage 10 is for the purpose of assisting in steadying vthe rope, the rope being led therethrough, and consists in a fixed` part 10a bolted to the frame and a movable part 10b.

Frein the clamp or die carriage 10 the rope passes to the `revolving head 11. 'This head 11 (Figs. L1 and 5) has a centre bore 12 for the passage of Vthe rope. The head 11 is mounted in a hollow bearing 13 (Fig. 1) fixed to the framework.Vv The head 11 is drilled so as to provide holes 14- for receiving the ends of a rod systemphereinafter referred to.

Between the revolving head 11 and an opening plate 15, is the opening pointV at whichV the rope is unwound into separate strands, the opening plate 15 functioning to perform the opening operation. Y

The opening plate 15v is slid'ably mounted on a rod system 25 above referred to, so as to be capable of movement back and forth thereon, to accommodate the position of the plate 15 to different sized ropes and also variations in the pull during workingof the machine.

The opening plate 15 (Figs. 6 and 7) has a. central hole 16 and a number (six) of radial slots 1,7,.through which slots 17 the strands of the rope pass,

The number of the radial slots 17 is according to the number of strands or wires in the rope or strand which is to be opened.

The central hole 16 in the opening plate 15 is to keep the fibrous core or heart of the rope clear of the wires or strands and free from danger of cutting thereby, the core being conducted longitudinally through the machine as hereinafter described.

The plate 15 has three bored face lugs 18, through which and the plate itself the to, which convenientlyand advantageously` may' as shewn be a triangular system of rods, which atl the end remote from the front ring or disc 2O of the flier carrier are connected at 14 to the revolving head 11 mounted in the hollow bearing 13.

In order to subject the strands orwires to the least possible stress during the untwisting at the opening point, the rotating rod system` 25 projecting in front of the main rotating axis 211 of the machine is made long so that the slope angle of the strands or wires in opening is kept as small as possible, and the opening point forward of the opening plate 15 clear of any obstruction which would interfere with the freedom of the wires or strands in opening. The framelilre nature Vof the `rod system 25 gives the advantage of visibility of all the strands or wires when standing on either side of the machine.

From the opening plate 15'the separate strands new pass to the spools or bobbin assemblage. y

To avoid undue` centrifuging stress by revolving large masses of carriers of large diameter, the expedient is adopted of dividing the spools or bobbins with their fliers over a double tandem carrier, in each of which is mounted, by way of example, three fliers set triangularly,rthe'setting of one being inverted with respect to the other so that in end on aspect the flier centres are equally spaced round a circle, and an evenly balanced geometrical structure is realized.

As shewn the double tandem carrier con sists of a back ring 19, a front ring 20, and a medial ring 21, these being mounted on the main rotating shaft 24 to move therewith. The front ring (Fig.` 8) is rotatably mounted in an external system of rollers 22,

restraining the frontA ring from movement in any direction4 radial or axial, and the middle ring 21is supported 4on pair of Iollers v23, (iF'ig. lthebac'k ring '19 4ordinarily not requiring anysuoh mounting or support Ias adjacent thereto fthe mainvrotat- 2ing axis or shaft 24 ofthe machine is mounted in a bearing supported Ain .one-of the back stands-of the machine.

As `stated fthere v'are -three fliers in each carrier, the front carrier being that between the rfront ring A2O 'and the middle ring 21, and the back carrier leeingtha'ft between the `middle ii-ng21and Lthe '-bacfl ring .19. For elearness of illustration only one flier is shewn iii-each carrier, the Morse code'lines-a nand indicating the l'axis ofthe other fliers.

Each-flier 26 (Fig. 13) ofthe back car- -r-ier is lpi-voted at Yits front (right hand) Vtrunnion' end in the middle ring 21. The trunnions'ends are hello-Wto allow the -pas'- 4sage vof the yWires 4or Astrands therethrough.

vrThe n'rea-r hollow ltrunnion fend of each ilier is lextended ito form a `hol-low shaft 27 ywhich is mou-nted'in the back ring 19 ofthe vcarrier. o f

Each flierf hasa rotating spool or bobbin-QS thespind'leof lWhich is borne inopen topped bearings "29, so that the spindle can be freely dropped 'in-toposition `and there secured :by `appropriate cover plates 30,thus `facil-itating the removal and `replacement vor eil-change of l'thelspools or bobbins 28.

ln connection with each spool 2S is a reversing traverse screw or distributor 31 having a guide Way 32 (Fig. 12) for spirally delivering the strands or Wires Z"to the spool.

r'llhe fliers 38 (Fig. 17) ofthe Vlfront'carrier are pivoted at their front (right hand) trunnions ends in "theflfront ring 20 and `at their rear ends veach trunnion is extended to forni a hol'low shaft 34.- -Which hollow shaft is borne thy the middle ring 21 and the back ring `19.

The front 'tr-unnion ends -are formed hollow to allow the passage of the Wires `or strands to the spoolsor bobbins. y

Each flier 33 has a rotatingspool -or bobbin and a distributor 36 arranged in similar manner Sto those i-nconne'ction With the spools or bobbi'ns 28 oftherear `fliers 26. .The front ring `or disc 2O ofthe double tandem carrier has six fholes `r37 arranged round its margin, three for the reception of the front hollow trunnion ends of the fliers 33 and three for the passage of three ofthe strands or Wires on 'their Way tothe hollow :trunnion ends of the lthree fliers 26 of the '.bacl carrier.

rlhe middle or disc 21 of the double tandem A carrier hasv sin7 holes B8 'arranged `round its margin, three Vfor lthe reception of the Jhollow shafts 3l of the. fliers 33, and three for `the reception vofthe front ltrunnion ends "of the rear fliers 26.

ADealing `now v-vvith the drive assemblage,

the forni'shewn an'dnowto rbe described has' i l19, Q0, 21 and 22 la main driving shaft 89 with fast and loose pulleys 40, illdriven by Aany-suitable Lsource of power is mounted in Vsuitable'bearings supported by the framing -ofthe `machine. Frein vthis shaft 39 independent wheel trains (located at A in Figs. 1 andV rfor iitnparting drive lof rotation to :the `main rotating axis of the Vmachine and for in'iparting drive of rotation to the spools f orr'bohhins are arranged as follows-:-

.A pair ofspurgears d2, 43, transmit yinotion v-to counter shaft 45, on which is a pinion el@ which drives the :main driving Wheel i7 on theA main `rotating `axis or shaft Qfl'ofithe machine.

From this counter shaft l5 a-second pair of `spur gears i8 :and i9 drive =a second counter or `pinion shaft 50 :on which is `a 'pinion 5.1 which as shewn at 51a may be duplicated. This pinion 5.1 .drives a :ge-ar element .52, the connection aof `which vto a third ycounter shaft 53 is :made by l.means of :an appropriate slippingeleinent 5lwhich `allows a slipping drive Vhetnf'een 552 and '53 f if 'the rate of take up -of the spools or lbob- :bins yexceeds the rate of delivery of vthe strand or rope 'being opened. The gear element 52 is `mounted to freely rotate /on the counter shaft 53.

lfVhen the. pinionl is duplicated, the duplicate pinion 51'a 'is associated with a companion 'ear 52a similarly adapted to maire connection with `the third counter shaft through a slipping elenie'ntfln. The duplicate slipping element 5l may be kept idle as a stand by Y1in case of an einergency, yor hotl 54 and 5l may be used together.

The particular forni of slipping element `shown in Figs. `10 andill, comprises a disc (rl-b fast on the shaft The disc -l) is surrounded by a strap 5de consisting of a ring in halves, fitting into a groove in the disc 54h, and connected by bolts 54d. The tightness of fit of the strap elle on the disc ll" is set by adjusting the holte 54d, and this setting -Will normally impart a non-slip drive `from the gear to the shaft 53. Couplers consisting of angle pieces 5l@ and plates bolted to the strap 5d impart movement frointhe to the strap 54C. rlhis form of slipping element is known as a friction in Wire or rope machine practice.

From this third counter shaft 53, through u a 0'ear 55 thereon and an intermediate OVear 1 70 n 5) on afstuo shart 5l, one gear 158 of an breast pair of gears moving as a unit is d gear 60 of "a second :abreast :pair 'of gears fen., from the other gear 59 of-Which, one I moving as a unit'isdriven. From the other gear 61 of this second abreast pair of gears, the companion gear 62 toarrotating sunwheel 63 of the epicyclic wheel train for imparting rotatory movement to each of the spools or bobbins is driven.

Gf the two abreast pairs of gears 58, 59 and 60, 61, one pair of the meshing gears (59, 60) is arranged' to be exchanged for otherpairs of different ratio, so as to accommodate different lays of rope. lhe different ratios will be determined by practical tests as in other machine -shop practice.

The sunwheel 63 of the aforesaid epicyclic wheel train isrotatably mounted on a nonrotatable sleeve or bush 77 in which the main rotating shaft 2e rotates, the sleeve 77 being held fast by a bracket casting 78 bolted to the framework. The sunwheel 63 through intermediate gears 64, mounted on studs 65 carried by upstanding bosses 65a on-the back ring 19 of the double tandem carrier, drives gears 66 which are fast on the shafts 67 which pass through the hollovs7 trunnion ends of shafts 27 of the fliers 26 of the spools or bobbins 28, each of these shafts 67 by a bevel gearing 68 and 69 driving awheel train 70, 71 and 72 mounted on one side of the iiier 26, and. 'connected to the spool or bobbin 2S to impart drive of rotation thereto, the shaft 73 of the driven bevel 69 being also extended and employed in conjunction with a chain 74 and sprockets 75 and 76 Vmounted on the other side of the iiier 26, to drive the reversing traverse screwor distributor 31. Y In general for ordinary cases, .the sun-. wheel 63, the intermediate wheels 65, and

the wheels 66 driven by the intermediate wheels 64, may be of equal diameter.

For. preserving the horizontality ofthe rotatory axis of the` spools or bobbins 23 while moving bodily round the common axis 2li there is provided a like or similar epicyclic wheel train to that by which the rotator-y movement is imparted to the spools or bobbins, butthis second wheel train differs from the. first in the particular that its snnwheel 79 is4 non-rotatably mounted or is fast on the sleeve 77. f

The intermediate gears 80 of -this second epicyclic wheel train are mounted on the same stub-shafts or studs 65 as those of the first train, but free for independent rotation thereon as they revolve round the fied sunwheel 79. These intermediate gears 80 of the second epicyclio ywheel train are of the saine diameter as the fixed sunwheel 79 and drive equal sized gears 81 which are fast on the hollow trunnion ends or shafts 27 of the fliers 26 so thatduring the revolution of the iiiers the displacement of these from the horizontal'position is prevented by the rolling back of the gears connected thereto In arranging ythese two epicycli'c wheel trains, that 79, 80 and 8l foi` preserving horizontality of the spools or bobbins is situated nearer to the back ring 19 of the flier carrier.r The sunwheel 79 for the second epicyclic wheel traniis as previously stated made fast with the non-rotatable sleeve 77, and the abreast pair of gears 62, 63 one gear 63 of which is the rotating sunwheel of the first ep-icyclic `wheel train, is rotatably mounted on the bush or sleeve 77 so as to turn as a unit thereon.

As regards the control of the fliers33 of thefront portion of the tandem carrier, and the drive of the spools or bobbins 35 of such fliers 33, the rear trunnion ends of the front fliers as previously stated are extended to form hollow shafts 34 which shafts pass back through the middle and back rings 2O .and 19 of the tandem carrier to receive their gear elements 8l of the second epicyclie wheel train, and the driving bevel shafts 67 are similarly extended in length to pass through and beyond the extended Vhollow shafts 34: to receive their gear elements `66 of the lirst epicyclic wheel train.

The transmission of the drive from the driving bevel-shaft 67 to the spools or bobbins 35 of the front fliers 33 and to their reversing traverse screws or distributors 36 is the same as that hereinbefore described with reference to the fliers 26 of the back carrier. t

The main rotating shaft 2li of the machine is made hollow so that the core or heart of the ropek may be conducted longitudinally 1 through thel machine to a winding reel or other storage device atthe rear of the inacliine. That shewn is a reel 83, driven from the main shaft 39 by a bevel drive 34; and beltdrive 85. The belt drive 85 allows for slip so as to accommodate any particular rate of delivery of the rope being opened.`

The operation of the machine is as follows z- Y Assuming a six stranded wire rope with a heart or core is to be unwound. ,Y

rEhe rope is led from the drum l through thegrip rolls 3, 4', clamp or die carriage 10, and revolving head ll. Between the revolving head ll and the opening plate l5 the rope is unwound into separate strands. The heart or core is then led through the central hole 16 of the opening plate lo, through the hollow c shaft 39 to the reel 83. The six strands arerled through their` appropriate racial slots'l7 in the plate 15, and three of the strands (alternate ones being selected) vare then led through the respective hollow trunnion ends of the fliers of the front carrier, to the respective spools or bobbins.

' The other threev strands are led through the Vthree ,corresponding holes 37 of the front lill() Y which The machine is .no-W ready tocommence running.

Drive of rotatioirfiorn the drivingshaft 39 to the main shaft ofjtlie machine2st-5I4 on are lined the back, ringl), thefront ring 20, 'an-:l the middle ring 2l, i s;i mparted by the gears yd counter sfiat Q5, pinion 4G, and driving. WheelV elfi. This rotaienof the .shaft Eiland rings 19, 207 and 2l revolves the and the spools or bobbins therein arrvinrl the shaft l'rive of rotation from the driving shaft 39; tothe spools or bobbins 28 and 25 imparted by the gears-@5&3 counter, i515 gears Sandllj counter YsliaftiO pinion 5l or/and 51a, gear element fffriction 54- or/and 54a, counter shaftyygen1"5,5,` gear 5(5,stnb shaft 5?-, abreastpair ofgears,

58,159,1 nbreast of: gears 6G and 61,' companiongear 62, sunwheel 63,` gears 6411, ygears 6,6, shafts 67, bevel gearings `68 and9,.shafts 73 and Wheelltrains 70, 71 and 72.",

The distributors .are driven from the shafts 73 by sprockets 75, chains .74 andV sprockets Y i For preserving the horizontality of the rotating' axes of the spools 2S and 35,- lthe non-'rotatable sunvvlieelV`V 79 cao-operates ,with gears 80, andgearsz, onthe hollovv trun nion endsQ? and 34; l Drive of the Wheel 83, is thronghlbevel' drive 8l and belt drive.- S5;

rlhe provision of a slip con'iponent,k such astlie friction, as. is shei'vn by Way of example of Figs. lOand `l1 allovs'th'e bob= bins. or spools to slowr dov/*n orv4 even stop so that the"rotationvof` each;bobbingaocom` modates*itself` to y variations in themateV of de ivory of the strand being*Wound-there# on,` or in other Words, the friction or slip drive,` is first so) as to give normallya nonslip positive drivejfroin the mainv drive to" the bobbins but any abnormal increase over the initial pnllof the strands due to the rate of spool winding exceedingf'xthe rate of; delivery', or from any other cause, results in a tightening np .of the vstrand between"the` spool Winding and the opening point and this increase in pull'v is transmitted as braking` effect on thedisc' component 5 4 ofv the friction so that throngh'thestrap connection the gearV element Iis allowed to overrunv nntil sucli time astheincreasein pulliis overcome and normal conditions restored'.

In' the example ofy machineV describedf'it; is tobe" noted tliatvthei'rate of' rotation` of the inter'ni'ediatey gear'a i's'the sumv of .its rotation due toits revolution round the` sirnwvlieel 63 and of its rotation due" to the? rotation ofthe sunwheel.' The rotat'ioniof the bobbinY isnot' equal tothe :rotation "of the intermediate gear7 for the' bevelgear 69v notf` only receives a`A rotation due'n to the bevel gear 68,j which in tnrni is'ldue tothe inter-- shaft due tn .itsrollingbacl on the gear 68 because the flier is mmintaiiied horizontal.l

The follo'ivingis the data of atrial test run on the machineunder the supervision of one of the applicants.

A six stranded Wire ropeof 1%. diameter and lOl/2H lay was talgen, and220 eet of the rope was unwonnd intoseparat'e strands and Wound on the bobbins in tpminutes.

Average speed of the main shaft is from 50 to 60 revolutions per minute While the normal or set speed of the bobbins depends on the length of lay, vand is providedfor by determining the ratio ofthe change speed Wheels 5 9 and 60. Y

It may be observed tl at aflaidf rope consists of a heart around Which are t-Wistedsix strands, each containing asimilar heart, usually coveredv by Wires. 1 A'- cable laid rope Iis composed of siX -"laid ropes closed together to form onecable.

A formedrope comprises six strands laid round a' heart, each strand consisting of eighteen wires in addition to the core. A Wire rope strandf generally contains from six'to nine Wires and never more than eighteen. i v .J

From this itwilljbe noted that a generally useful machine is one containing six spools or bobbins, butfthere are c a'ses in wliich a. machine containing more spools or' bobbins may berequired.'

In general, for ordinary purposes, the Wheel train-for impartingdrive. of rotation to the spools, or bobbins consists of a spur Wheely mounted on the driven bevel shaft; this spur Wheel `drivinganother spur Wheel on the spool or bobbinjthrough aninterme` diate gear. t Will thus be seen that dis; connectingthis vvheel tr ain suc h as by ref` moving the' intermediate gear andrunning the machine in the reverse directionl the closing of Wires of strands to form a rope is possible; Anse of themachinethusbecomes possible by which, a fault developsin an expensive rope W liicli wonl d cause it to be condemnedf if not remedied, this froiniQ t'o 42a and from this toilS.

AThe machine is useful for nnwinding stranded electric cables such as telephones and telegraph cables for reconditioning, also for unwin'dingfibrons ropes such as hemp ropes either for re-making or as a step in paper making. Y

It will bereadly understood that although We havespolejn throughoutof keepingv the bobbins horizontal the devices derope again Aping devices for scribed are equally adapted to maintain them parallel to any plane, which itself is means for untwisting said rope, a 'inai'ir drive, a drive for revolving said spools, a drive normally acting as a positive gear drive for rotating said spools on their own axes, a slipping component interposed in said drive of' rotation, which said slipping component allows the bobbins to slow down or even stop altogether, whenever and as often as and according as the resistance to winding grows abnormal, and means for preserving horizontality of said spools.

2. For the purposel of mechanically untwisting and reeling the strands of a rope or the like, or the separate wires or yarns of a strand, or groups of wires or yarns of a strand, a machine comprising spools mounted so as to revolve on a common axis, gripsaid rope, meansY for untwisting said rope, a main drive, a. drive for revolving said spools, a drive normally acting as a positive gear drive for rotating said spools on their own axes, a wheel train as a unit in said drive ot rotation, ,a slipping component interposed in said drive of rotation, which said slippi'ingV component allows the bobbins to slow down or even stop altogether, whenever and as often as and according as the resistance to winding grows more or less abnormal, and means for pre-l serving horizontality of said spools. v Y

3. Machine of the class described, comprising spools mounted in fliers'so `as torevolve on a common axis, carriers for said fliers Uri) imo' devices for said ro ae ie'ans 7 o b n Y l 7 for untwisting said ro e ,a main drive a drive for revolving saidspools, a drive norf mally acting as apositive gea-r, drive for rotating said spools on their own axes, a slipping component interposed in said drive of rotation, an epic-yclic wheel train' as a unit in said drive of rotation, an epicyclic wheel train for preserving the horizontality of the rotatory axes of said spools, the sunwheel of the first epicyclic train being rotatably mounted on the revolving axis of said spools, and the sunwheel of the second epicyclic train being non-rotatably mounted on said revolving axis of the spools.

4. Machine of the class described, coin-V prising spools mounted 'in fliers so as to revolve on a common axis, carriers for said fliers, gripping devicesffor said rope, means for untwisting said rope, a main drive,f a drive for revolving said spools, a drive nor-V mally acting as a positive gear drive Yfor rotatingrsaid spools on their own axes, a Vslipping component interposed in said drive ofV rotation, an epic-yclic wheel train as a unit in said drive of rotation, an epicyclic wheel train for preserving the horizontality ofthe rotatory axes of said spools, the sunwlieel of the first epicyclic train being rotatably mounted on the revolving axis of' said spools, and the sunwheel of the second epicyclio train being non-rotatably mounted on said revolving axis of the spools, and a gear head in which the whole of the drive of the machine is carried.

5. Machine of the class described, coniprising spools mounted in fliers having hollow trunnion` ends and arranged to revolve on a common axis, carriers for said fliers, gripping devices for said rope, means for untwisting said rope, a main drive, a drive for revolving said spools, adrive normally acting as a positive gear drive for rotating said spools on their own axes, a slipping component interposed in said driveof rotation, an epicyclic wheel train as a unit in` said drive of rotation, an epicyclick wheel train for preserving the horizontality of the rotatory axes of said` spools, the sunwheel of the first epicyclic train being rotatably mounted on the revolving axis of said spools, and the sunwheel of the second epicyclic train being non-rotatably mounted on said axis of the spools, and a shaft passing through the hollow trunnion ends of said fliers, a gear at one end` of said shaft, said gear. forming a member of the first epicyclic wheel train, and a bevel gearing at the other end ofV said shaftA for imparting drive of rotation to the spools.

6. Machine of the class described, coniprising spools mounted in fliers having hollow trunnion ends and arranged to revolve on arcominon axis, carriers for said fliers, gripping devices for said rope, means :for untwisting said rope, a main drive, a drive for revolving said spools, a drive normally acting as a positive gear drive for rotating said spools on their own aires, a slipping component interposed in `said drive of rotation, an epicyclic wheel train as a unit in said drive of rotation, an epieyclic wheel train for preserving the horizontality of the rotatory axes of said spools, the sunwheel of the first. epicyclic train being rotatably mounted on the revolving axis of said spools, and the sunwheel ofthe second epicyclic train being non-rotatably mounted onsaid axis of the spools, and a shaft passing through. the hollow trunnion ends of said fiiers, a gear at one end of said shaft, said gear forming a member of the first epicyclic wheel train, a bevel bearing at the other end lll) lli

ofl said shaft, and a Wheel train asa final gear to the spool; Y 7. Machine of the class described, comprising spools mounted in fliers having hol'- `loiv trunnion ends and arranged to revolve on arcommon airis, carriers for said fliers, gripping devices for said rope, means for untvvisting said rope, a main drive, a drive for revolving said spools, a drive normally' acting asa positive gear drive *for rotating said spools on their own a:\;es,a slipping fliers, agear at one endet sadshait, said gear forming a member ot the iirst'epicyclic Wheel train, and a bevel gearingV the` other end ot said shaft for transmitt og drive of rotation to the spool, the enter gears ot said second epieyclie ivh-eel tryin heinff fast on the hollow trunnion ends of the fli 3s.r

8. Machine of the class described, com prising spools mountedin fliers so to revolve on a common airis, arriere tor' said. fliers, gripping devices for: saidropmmeans for untivisting said rope, a. ina-in drive, a drive for revolving said spools, a drive nor mally actingasa posit-ive gear drivey tor rotating said spoolson their oivn: a,v es, a slipping component interposedin said drive of' rotation, an epicyclic Wheel-train as a unit in said drive of rotation, ant epievclic. Wheel train for preservingthe horinontality' off-the rotatory artes ot said. spools, thesunvvhee'l' of the first epicyclic train beingrotatably mounted on therevolving artis of said spools and the sunvvheel ofl the second epicyclic/ train being non-rotatably mounted onse-.id axis ofthe spools, the intermediate gearso-i.I both epicyclicV wheel trains being mounted onithe` same shafts.

9. Machine of the class described, come* prising spools mounted in fliers so as to re volve onV a common airis, carriers' for said iiiers, gripping devices for'saidJ-'opm means for unwinding said rope, a main drive, a drive normallyacting as a positive gear for rotating said spools on their own axes, a slipping component interposed in said drive of rotation, an epicyclic Wheel train as a unit in said drive of rotation, an epicyclic Wheel train for preserving` the horizontality of the rotatory axes of said spools, the sun- Wheel of the first epicyclic train being rtatably mounted on the revolving axis of said spools, and the sunivheelV of the second epicyclic train being non-rotatably mounted on said revolving axis of the spools, the epicyclic wheel train for preserving hort zontality ot the spools beingv situated next to the back ring of the flier carrier.

. 10. Machine of the class described comprising fliers, spools mounted therein, means for preserving horizontalitv of' the spools, gripping devices for the rope, means for untwisting said rope, a main driving` shait, a main drive, means tor imparting a drive of rotation to the fliers round a common axis, means for imparting a drive of rotation to the spools on their own axes conip-rising a Wheel train gear' and aninterposed slipping element' therein.

l1. Machine of the class described compri-sing iiiers, spools mounted therein, means tor preserving horizontality ot the spools,

gripping devices-foritlre: rope, means for untwisting said rope, a main driving shaft, a maindrive, means for imparting a drive of rotationto the iiiers round' a common axis, means for imparting a drivev ot rotation to the spools on their o'vvn axes cfn'npi-ising a Wheel train gear, an i'nterposed'slippi g element therein, and change Wheels in' said Wheel train gear'.

Machine of the class' described, coinprisiinig fliers, spools mounted therein, a common main shaft round Whiehthe' fliers revolve, gripping devices for the rope, means for usntvvisting saidl rope, a. main driving-shaft, a Wheel train for imparting.

`a drive ot rotation to said commonI main shaft, avvh'eel train' for imparting. avdrive o-frotation to said spools on their oivnja-ires, said 'last mentioned'drive having a slipping element and an epicyclic Wheeltrain as units therein, andmeans for preserving4 horizontality of' the spools.

13.4Ma'chin1e of.- the classjfdescribed, comprising fliers, spools mounted' therein, a common main shaftV round Whichthe fliers revolve,. gripping devices for the rope, means for untivisting said rope, a main driving shaft, a Wheel train for imparting.

a drive of' rotation'. tofsaid common main shaft, a Wheel train forI imparting a drive of rotation to said spoolson their own aires, saidt:last mentionedwdrive having al slipping element andan epicyclic Wheel trainzasl units therein,.and an. epicyclic Wheel tra-in-` onpneserving horizontality of the spools..

14. Machine of the class described, comprising fliers, spools mounted therein, a common main shaft round which the fliers revolve, gripping devices for the rope, means for untvvisting said rope, a main driving shaft, a Wheel train for impart-ing a driveV of rotation to said common main shaft, a Wheel train for imparting a drive of rotation to said spools on their ovvn axes, said last mentioned drive having a slipping element and an epicyclic Wheel train as units therein, and an epicyclic Wheel train for preserving horizontality of the spools, the sun wheels of the said epicyclic wheel trains being vmounted on the revolving axis of said spools,rone sun wheel being rotatably mounted and the other non-rotatably epicyclic wheel train as units therein, andV vmeans for preserving horizontality of the spools.

16. Machine of the class described, comprising a double tandem carrier, fliers therein, spools mounted in said fliers, a common main shaft round which the fliers revolve,

gripping devices for the rope, means for untwisting said rope, a main driving shaft, a wheel tran for imparting a drive of rotation to said common main shaft, a wheelA train for imparting a drive of rotation Yto said spools on their own axes, said last mentioned drive having a slipping element and an epicyclic wheel train as units therein, change wheels, and an `epicyclic wheel train for preserving horizontality of the spools.

17. Machine ofthe class described, comprising a double tandem carrier, tracks therefor, fliers in saidn carrier, spools -mounted Y in said fliers, a common main shaft round which the fliers revolve, a rod system,

gripping devicesV for the rope, means for untwisting said rope, a main driving shaft, a wheel train for imparting a drive' of rotation to said common main shaft, a wheel train for imparting drive of rotation to said spools on` their own axes, said last mentioned drive having a' slipping element and an epicyclic wheel train as units therein, and an epicyclic wheel train for preserving horizontality of the spools.`

18. Machine of the class described, comprising a doublel tandemv carrier, tracks thereforgiiiers in said carrier, spools mount# ed in said fliers, a common main shaft round which the fliers revolve, grip rolls, a die carriage, a rod system extending forward of said main shaft, an opening plate onsaid rod system, a main driving shaft, a wheel train for imparting a drive of rotation to said common'main shaft, a wheel train for imparting a drive of rotation to said spools on their ovvn axes, said last mentioned drive having a slipping element and an epicyclic wheel train as units therein, and an epicyclic wheel train for preserving,horizontality of the spools.

19. Machine of the class described, comprising a double tandem carrier, tracks therefor, fliers in said. carrier, spools mount i ed in said fliers, a common main shaft round which the fliers revolve, grip rolls, a die carriage, a rod Vsystem extending forward of said main shaft, an opening plate on said rod system, a main driving shaft, a wheel trainfor imparting a drive of rotation to said commonv main shaft, a wheel train for imparting a drive of rotation to saidspools on their own axes, said last mentioned drive having a slipping element and an epicyclic wheel train as units therein, an epicyclic wheel train for preserving horizontality of the spools, a storage device` for the heart or core of the rope, and means for conducting said core to said storage device.

20. Machine of the class described, com` prising a. double tandem carrier, tracks therefor, fiiers in said carrier, spools mounted in said fliers, a common main shaft round which the fliers revolve, grip rolls,a die carriage, Va rod system extending forward of said main shaft, an'opening plate on said rod system, a mainA driving shaft, a wheel train for imparting a drive of rotation to said common main shaft, a wheel train for imparting a drive ofrotation to said spools on their own axes, said last mentioned drive having a slipping element and an epicyclic wheel train as units therein, an epicyclic wheel train for preserving horizontality of the` spools, and means for accommodating any particular rate of delivery of the ropeV being opened.

MARY PAULLNE JAGGER, E eoutrz'm of Peter Bard Jagger, deceased.

THOMAS` CLARK HARDING. i

In testimony whereof, we aiix our signa` tures. 

